Analysis of cocoa beans trade between Turkey and Ghana through the maritime route

ABSTRACT Master's Thesis Analysis of Cocoa Beans Trade Between Turkey and Ghana Through The Maritime Route Sadick MAWIYA Dokuz Eylül University Graduate School of Social Sciences Department of Maritime Business Administration Maritime Business Administration Program The aim of this thesis is to analyse the cocoa beans trade between Turkey and Ghana through the maritime route. Despite that cocoa bean remains the top traded commodity between both countries; its full potential is not being realized due to some logistical constraints. This report addresses the above issue in maritime context by examining the value chain of cocoa beans export and import and also exploring the transportation logistics involved in the trade. This research is done applying the qualitative method of doing research with data collected from interviews and questionnaires from relevant institutions. The research is a double phase approach looking at the flow of the cocoa beans commodity trade from the source (Ghana) to destination (Turkey). In Ghana, cocoa production and marketing are supervised by the government through its main agency, Ghana Cocoa Board. The Ghana Cocoa Board has a monopoly on cocoa marketing and export through its subsidiary, the Cocoa Marketing Company. The major importer of Ghana's cocoa beans into Turkey is Altinmarka through commodity trading houses such as Facta International B.V. and Touton S.A. Content analysis was applied to breakdown information from literature review. Microsoft Office Excel was used to display findings through Graphs and tables in data analysis. Results show that all shipments to Turkey are containerized. Export from Turkey to Ghana is mainly in 20ft units while export to Turkey from Ghana is mainly in 40ft unit. During peak seasons the shipping lines strategy is to reposition more 40ft empty containers in order to meet demand. However, this strategy is costly and holds up huge capital. It is recommended that shipping lines use a combination of own-account vehicles to serve areas where the private transport companies are unwilling to go and transport contracts with large transporters supplemented with hire of trucks at the spot market during the highest peaks. Keywords: Cocoa Beans, Cocobod, Cocoa Marketing Company, Value Chain, Logistics, Commodity House, Container, Reposition.